Time signal generator



April 14, 1970 A. DE SCHWIEGN ET AL 3,505,806

TIME SIGNAL GENERATOR Filed Oct. 10, 196? 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 14, 1970 DE scHWlEGNE ET AL TIME SIGNAL GENERATOR 5 Shee tS-Sheet B Filed Oct. 10, 1967 April 14, 1970 A. DE; :SCHWIEGNE ETAL 3,505,806

TIME SIGNAL GENERATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 10, 1967 United States Patent 3,505,806 TIME SIGNAL GENERATOR Andr de Schwiegne, La Vedette, and Marcel Hoyaux, Paris, France, assignors to Fabrique dHorlogerie La Vedette, Saverne Bas-Rhin, and Jaz S.A., Paris, France, both companies of France Filed Oct. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 674,148 Claims priority, application France, Oct. 25, 1966, Patent 81,524 Int. Cl. G04c 21/00 US. Cl. 5S38 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Time signal generator intended to be associated with a mechanical or electrical timepiece, the generator being mechanically independent from the timepiece from which it receives brief and uniform electrical impulses triggered by suitable contact mechanism, the counting of the signals is ensured by an independent counting system constituted by a movable circular ratchet positioned by means of a fixed jumper and the mechanical advance takes place stepwise through the action of an electromagnet fast on a pawl acting on the ratchet and the number of teeth of which correspond to the number of signals or impacts to be produced during a complete cycle. The ratchet suitably is of electrical insulating material and has two conductive tracks on which rub two electrically conductive brushes inserted in the electrical circuit. The first track can be continuous while the second counting track has irregular conducting sectors determining the number of signals to be eimtted or of blows to be struck, interrupted by non-conductive sectors. The generator also has an electronic timing amplification circuit of the multivibrator type which has two transistors for ensuring a regular and adjustable cadence to the tops and also the electric commutation of motor currents, the driving of the counting ratchet taking place by the return movement of the motor armature of the electromagnet.

The invention is concerned with a time signal generator, for example an hour signal, intended to be associated with an electrical or mechanical timepiece movement.

The control devices for hour signal generators used actually have as a common characteristic a more or less strict dependence between the mechanism controlling the ringing and the movement, these two elements being grouped in a single operative constructional unit.

The present invention has for its object to provide a completely independent device for controlling alarm ringing, actuated a simple electric impulse coming from timepiece movements.

The independent assembly of the alarm or ringing system can be associated with a different calibre of the timepiece which will promote its manufacture in large quantities.

According to another characteristic of the invention, there is used an electronic circuit to ensure the timing and for actuating the electrode controlling the hammer. From the point of view of the quality of the electric contacts, this solution has the advantage that these will command weak electric currents on high impedance circuits with the result that they will function with a high degree of safety.

If from the point of view of space taking, this solution is also more advantageous, it also permits a greater flexibility in the packaging and in the making of clocks having totally new shapes.

The invention is distinguishable mainly by the new concept of an electro-magnetic striking system associated with a counting system and with a timing and amplifying circuit, the autonomous functioning of which can be triggered at a distance by an electric signal of weak intensity produced by ice a timepiece movement at given intervals. The several striking hammers are carried by the mobile armature of an electro-magnet having a plunging core or an armature having preferably an outside movable skirt. Each energizing of the electromagnet ensures the striking of one or two alarms according as whether its movable armature functions in two directions or in one direction only. In the first case, it ensures a ringing on two timbres or sound members.

This electro-magnet actuates simultaneously with the several hammers a counting gear driven stepwise by a system of a pawl and a positioning jumper acting on suitable teeth. To avoid all counting errors which might be due to irregular paths of the electro-magnet, submitted to very variable voltages, precautions are taken so that the stepwise driving of the ratchet cannot be affected by possible variaitons in the amplitude of the displacement of the electro-magnet. For this purpose there is provided the radial operation of the pawl on side teeth of the ratchet for example or by any other suitable arrangement.

The ratchet is preferably made of insulating material combined with a conductive metallic wire or a printed circuit on which permanently bear two brushes, one on a continuous track and the other one on a discontinuous counting track. The two tracks are electrically connected and the two brushes are connected to the electronic mounting.

The arcs of the conductive zones of the counting track vary between one and eleven paces according to the number of tops to be struck by an alarm called H /2. This implies a division of 90, but any other division is naturally possible. The electrical signal set up by the control system of the timepiece movement always ensures the first top which causes the counting gear to move by one pace. If this step is to be the only one, the counting brush will remain on a nonconductive zone, otherwise it will slide at the first top along a conductive zone the length of which will correspond to the number of paces corresponding to the number of tops to be struck minus one. The sequence of the tops stops as soon as the counting brush rubs again on a non-conductive zone. The cadence of the strokes or the timing between the strokes is determined by an electronic circuit of the multivibrator type having two transistors which ensure simultaneously also the current commutation of thecircuit of the electro-magnet. The electrical currents to be commuted on the track of the counting brush or by the control contact of the timepiece movement are thus relatively weak, so that a deterioration of the contacts by sparking is not to be feared and even when dirty their resistance will be insignificant relative to the impedance of the circuits they command.

In order to reduce to the maximum the pilot currents commuted by mechanical contacts and in order to ensure a maximum effectiveness thereto, these are inserted with a suitable resistance in the base circuit of a third commutation transistor the emitter and the collector of which are inserted in the power circuit. If the two transistors are of the NPN type, this third transistor will be a PNP transistor and vice versa.

In order to ensure agreement between the strokes struck by the ringing assembly, a synchronization of the position of the counting ratchet relative to that of the hands of the timepiece movement is necessary. The counting ratchet is then accordingly provided with a positioning button as well as with a 12 hour dial with unequal divisions moving in front of a fixed marker. The reverse can also be provided that is to say a fixed crown with hourly indications in front of which moves a marker fast on the counting ratchet. At the moment of setting the timepiece work, it will suflice to proceed to a parallel setting of the ringing mechanism.

An eifective realization of the ringing assembly is obtained by lodging the counting and striking mechanism as well as the members of the electronic circuit inside two small bells mounted on the same shaft, but in opposition in order to constitute a novel and efficient housing. In this case, the electro-magnet operates along an inclined plane relative to a perpendicular of the common shaft of the bells striking one bell coming and the other upon return from which there results a ringing with a minimum of means and space-taking.

The requirements of users with respect to intensity and rapidity of cadence of ringing are very variable. Since these values are determined by the values of certain components of the electronic circuit, it will suffice to render the constituents adjustable by the user who will thus be able to select himself the values which are most suitable to him. Thus it is possible to place a potentiometer in series with the coil of the electro-magnet to adjust the intensity of ringing as well as another potentiometer in the base circuit of one of the transistors in order to adjust the cadence.

In order to start the ringing mechanism at the desired hours, the timepiece movement is provided with a trigger system with electrical contacts controlled by a cam secured to the centre shaft or to another suitable gear.

For an alarm H /2, one electrical signal is necessary every half hour. The triggering cam thus will have 2 sections of the same radius in order to raise a trigger carrying a contact wafer in order to allow it to fall down at the exact hour and at the half hours. In falling back, the contact wafer of the trigger will rub against a second wafer secured on a fixed elastic blade to thus close the electrical circuit for a short signal. Since during the rise of the trigger the same must no longer make contact, the cam of the centre shaft comprises exactly a thickened section which moves away the contact wafer on the elastic blade during the upward trajectory of the wafer on the trigger. The 2 contact wafers are electrically connected to the ringing mechanism by two electric wires. A mechanical linking is not necessary.

The conditions of modern living, particularly in collective dwellings, radio, television, etc. can render striking clocks insufferable during the night or a part of the day. An automatic stop system for the striking work is thus much appreciated by certain consumers. A stop of 12 hours out of 24 is ensured by a cam positioned on a gear turning one rotation per 24 hours and the section of which prevents the fall of the trigger for 12 hours.

This cam can be frictionally mounted on a clock rotating one rotation per 24 hours. This permits the user to move the cam relative to the gear and to thus select at will the silent periods for the striking works.

In order to avoid too abrupt a fall of the trigger and consequently an electric control signal which is too short, the fall of the trigger is timed. For this purpose, it can comprise a toothed sector meshing directly or by an intermediate gear with a pinion or endless screw supporting a shutter operating by air resistance, or with a mass, or a copper disk passing in the air gap of a permanent magnet. It is also possible to use a kind of escapement with a disk acting as an oscillating balance and comprising 2 washers on which act suitable teeth on the trigger, etc. The trigger can also be braked by meshing temporarily one way with a gear of the timepiece gearwork having a suitable speed.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the description of the modifications thereof given by way of non-limiting examples in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 shows the electrical circuit of a generator according to the invention with its electronic timing circuit and its counting device;

FIGURE 2 shows a modification of the electronic timing system;

FIGURE 3 shows a detail of a modification of the counting device;

FIGURE 4 shows a detail of another modification of the counting device;

FIGURES 5 and 6 show a construction having two bells;

FIGURE 7 shows a modification having an electromagnet with a rotating armature; A

FIGURES 8 and 9 show a contact system which can be actuated by a timepiece movement;

FIGURE 10 shows a modification of the contact system associated with an esca-pement timing device; and

FIGURES 11 and 12 show an adjustment system for temporarily stopping the striking work associated with a timepiece movement.

FIGURE 1 is concerned with an electric circuit with two transistors 1 and 2. It comprises additionally fixed resistances R1, R3 and R4, the charge condenser 13, the electro-magnet coil 8 and battery 12. This circuit functions as a multivibrator in combination with a switch 9 and parallel with two brushes 18 and 19 permanently bearing on a conductive surface 23 fast on a ratchet insulated disk movable around shaft 20 with teeth having ninety divisions (6), the whole positioned by a jumper 24. Brush 18 rubs with its wafer 3 on continuous track 16 while brush 19 rubs with its wafer 4 on alternately conductive and insulated track 15. Shaft 20, jumper 24, brushes 18 and 19 as well as the electro-magnet (not shown) are secured on support 22.

FIGURE 2 shows a modification of the electronic circuit after the insertion of a third commutation transistor 28 reducing the current to be commuted.

With ratchet 7 the electro-magnet placed under voltage moves in the direction 26. Without a voltage it returns to the starting position in direction 25.

When the striking must be triggered, contact 9 on the timepiece movement constituted by a wafer 10 placed on the trigger and a wafer placed on a fixed but elastic blade 11 closes for a very short time, sufiicing to ensure the conductivity of transistor 2 to permit its passing the necessary electric current for energizing the electromagnet, the movable armature of which moves in the direction 26 by making the ratchet move one step on shaft 20. If this advance corresponds to the sliding of a conductive sector 5 under wafer 4, the electronic circuit remains closed on the battery by this mechanical commutation between wafers 3 and 4 short-circuited by the hatched conductive surface on which they bear. At the moment of the energizing of the electro-magnet, transistor 1 first non-conductive progressively becomes conductive which blocks in turn transistor 2 which causes the charging of the condenser 13 which at the end of its charge ensures a base voltage sufiicient for making transistor 2 again conductive which ensures a new stroke or ringing as well as a new advance stepwise of the ratchet and of the surface of the counting contact, the strokes of the ringing following one another at regular intervals until an insulating surface slips under wafer 4 which opens the electronic circuit until it receives a new electric impulse by interrupter 10 and .11 caused by the functioning of the trigger contacts of the timepiece movement.

FIGURE 2 shows a modification of the electronic circuit after the addition of a third commutation transistor 28 reducing the current to be commuted by contacts 10 and 11 and brushes 18 and 19.

FIGURES 3 shows a detail of the driving pawl 30 of the ratchet positioned by jumper 32. Paw] 30 fast on the electro-magnet moves in the directions 25 and 26 and is constituted by a cut out blade working by traction in direction 25. Its non-cut out extremity is slightly folded back and bears against a fixed stop 31. When the pawl moves in direction 26 its bent back end rises by slipping on stop 31 in such a way that driving by two teeth becomes impossible regardless of the movement of the pawl.

FIGURE 4 shows a ratchet with side teeth having a suitable cross-section 34 and positioned by jumper 32. Pawl 35 is constituted by a spring blade having a bent extremity which bears against stop 3-7 rigid with the support pawl 36 by moving in trajectory 27 in the direction 25 and 26. When this pawl acts on a tooth 34 hearing against stop 37 and thus is then imparted a sufiicient stiffness so that by moving in direction 26 it makes the ratchet move by a step in direction 33 regardless of the amplitude of this movement.

Upon return in direction 25 the pawl preserves all its flexibility in order to slide on the following tooth by moving away from stop 37.

FIGURES 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the assembly of the striking mechanism housed inside two bells 38 and 39 which have different timbres and which can be secured to any place in the clock by means of threaded stem 40. In order not to confuse the drawing, the electrical connection wires are not shown. They are brought in the most convenient manner through an opening in one of the two bells to plate 41 made of insulating material and comprising the circuits of FIGURE 1, either in printed form or conventionally as well as the electronic constituents. This plate is supported by posts 42 and 43 fixed by means of a spur 44 screwed to bell 39 by a piece 40. This plate 41 supports also a shaft 45 on which turn the assembly of the ratchet 46 and a counting disk 47, both riveter on a pin 48. An electromagnet with plunging core 49 is secured between posts 42 and 43. Its plunging core is maintained in inoperative position by springs 50 and 51 and has at its two extremities striking wafers 52 and 53 preferably made of plastic material.

The, attachment of the electro-magnet is such that its longitudinal axis makes an angle with a perpendicular to the axis of the bells in order to strike one bell upon going and the other upon return. Pawl 54 having to drive stepwise ratchet 46 is integral with the movable armature 17 of electro-magnet 49 and is guided in a suitable slot of plate 41. The latter also supports brushes 3 and 4 which rub against counting disk 47. Spur 44 has an extension on which is secured, preferably by screw, bell 38. In an opening through these two pieces penetrates the cylindrical part of button 56 fitted on a flattened extension or on grooves of a disk 48 and is integral with the assembly of ratchet 46 and counting wheel 47. Marker 57 of button 56 moves in front of a dial 24 which has a scale in relation with the progressive divisions of the counting disks, which permits setting the ratchet positioned by jumper 24. This marking of the dial is printed either directly on the bell 38 or on a separate dial secured on bell 38, and contains indications of hours and half hours.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a possible modification with a rotating electro-magnet with an external rotor the shaft 59 of which turns in bearings placed in the core of the fixed stator. The stem of a hammer 60 is integral with the rotor of the electro-magnet and supports a double hammer 61. When the electro-magnet is energized, the hammer 61 moves in the direction 65 to strike the rod or gong 63 from which it rebounds in direction 64 to then strike against the second rod 62 which gives a bimbam sound on the gong. The gong of this example can be replaced by two small bells or any other sound member.

Rotor 58 of this example supports a pawl driving the ratchet of the counting system tangentially in accord with the disposition shown on FIGURE 3.

FIGURES 8 and 9 show schematically a system of directing contacts which can be actuated by a timepiece movement. On a shaft 66 rotating one turn per hour in direction 92 is integrally mounted a double cam 67. This cam made of insulating material has, in addition to its peripheral section acting on shank 68 of trigger 69, a side section 71 acting on blade 72. Trigger 69 pivoted on shaft 70 secured to plate 73 of the movement has at its extremity contact wafer and is urged back on the peripheral section of cam 67 by return spring 74 secured to the plate of movement 73 to which it also ensures electrical linking. Elastic blade 72 is secured to insulating terminal 75 and at its extremity is located contact wafer .11. The electrical connection of blade 72 with the striking system is ensured by insulated wire 91 in combination with the mass of the timepiece movement connected if necessary by means of wire to that of the counting mechanism.

During time of preparation, cam 67 rotating in direction 92 slowly lifts trigger 69 in direction 76 and then the lateral section 71 tensions blade 72 in order that its contact wafer 11 positions itself in the trajectory of wafer 10. When shaft 66 is in position on an hour or a half hour, trigger 69 falls abruptly in direction 77 on the peripheral section of cam 67 under the urging of spring 74. During this movement, wafer 10 slides on wafer 11 While closing the electronic counting circuit. In order, however, that this fall be not too noisy nor too rapid to ensure a sufiicient contact duration, it is timed. For this purpose, the trigger comprises a toothed sector 78 meshed with driving pinion 79 supporting a shutter 80 operating by air resistance, inertia, magnetic braking or other.

While the trigger is lifted in direction 76, blade 72 no longer under tension strikes against the part of cam 67 which has no lateral section, in such a way that upon returning upwards the two wafers 10 and 11 cannot touch one another. It is only after tensioning of the trigger in direction 76 that blade 72 is tensioned in direction 82 to come in contact position when the trigger falls.

FIGURE 10 shows schematically a trigger system similar to the preceding one but the cam of which 83 made of insulating material has two peripheral sections. The one which functions along the greater diameter acts on pin 68 of trigger 69 while the section of smaller diameter acts on bent beak 87 of contact lever 84 pivoted at 86 and stopping in direction under the action of spring 88. The hooking point 85 of spring 88 and of pivot 86 are insulated. At the moment of ringing, shank 68 escaping from the greater radius of the large section of cam 83 of trigger 69 moves in direction 77 in such a way that the contact shank 10 slides on the inclined wafer 11 of lever 84 the beak of which 87 strikes against the section having the smallest radius of cam 83. Before lifting of trigger 69 lever 84 is pushed by the corresponding section of cam 83 in direction 89 in order that contact wafer 11 be outside the trajectory of the contact shank 10 during tensioning of trigger 69.

The timing of the fall of trigger 69 in direction 77 is obtained by an escapement system with balance 93 pivoted at 94 and making together with its shanks 96 and perform the function of a pallet in combination with teeth 97 the operation of which is similar to that of an escapement wheel. Return spring 98 fast on balance 93 and able to slide freely between the fixed shanks 99 and 100 tends to give to the balance spring a definite rest position. This escapement limits the speed of movement of trigger 69 in direction 77 at the desired speed, and in no way interferes with the slow movement in direction 76.

When the design of a given calibre of the movement does not permit placing cam 83 on a shaft rotating at one turn per hour, the cam can be placed on a shaft at two turns per hour by limiting the sections to one pair or to a less rapid shaft by multiplying the pairs of sections in consequence.

FIGURES 11 and 12 show schematically an automatic system, which is retractable and adjustable for stopping the striking works for 12 out of 24 hours. Shaft 101 pivots between plates 102 and 103 with the possibility of axial movement in the two directions 104 and 105. During normal functioning, the longitudinal positioning of shaft 101 is ensured by the free extremity of a spring wire 108 secured to the plate by the other end and engaged in groove 107 of shaft 101. On this shaft are force-fitted ring 109 as well as disc 115 on which are riveted a cam 114 and the tray with notched edge 113. On the contrary disc 112 on which are riveted a Wheel 110 as well as the tray with notched edge 111 can turn on shaft 101 with which it is only partially integral through the axial push of the conical spiral spring 116 which causes the interpenetration of the notches of trays 111 and 113. Normally a pinion 118 meshing with wheel 110 drives shaft 101 with the assembly of the pieces which it supports at a speed of one turn per 24 hours. Each half hour trigger 69 is lifted in order to produce when it falls abruptly an electric signal. This is possible as long as a key 117 falls on the small diameter of cam 114, but is no longer in the time when key 117 falls on the large diameter of cam 114, which eliminates for the corresponding period the closing of contacts 10 and 11 (see the preceding figure). In order to permit to each user to adjust the period of silence of the striking to his own taste, he will turn button 119 forward or backwards. At this moment, wheel 110 controlled by pinion 118 can no' longer follow the movement and the teeth of the dishes with notched edges 111 and 113 slide on one another because of the elasticity of spring 116. With twenty-four teeth on each notched dish the adjustment takes place hourly. With forty-eight teeth it takes place on the half hour.

The user who wishes to change according to his wishes the period of silence will only have to turn button 119 in the desired direction and by the corresponding number of notches. Besides, the effect of the device is cancelled by pushing button 119 in direction 105, which will cause spring 108 to engage in a groove 106 and will place cam 114 in a plane inaccessible to movements of the key 117.

The invention is naturally not limited to the generation of struck signals, but extends to all signals both acoustic and luminous, it being possible to replace the coil of the electro-magnet lodged in the electronic circuit by, for example, an electronic oscillator associated with a loudspeaker.

The electronic timing circuit permits additionally electronically controlling the hourly triggering of all processes.

What is claimed is:

1. Independent time signal generator associated with a timepiece movement having a timing contact comprising: a source of current, a timing and amplifying circuit connected to said source and including a pair of transistors, an electromagnet having a coil and a movable armature, a driving pawl integral with said electromagnet; a commutator connected to said circuit and having a contact actuated periodically by said movement, a pair of contact brushes mounted in parallel with said commutator; an insulated counting ratchet actuated by said pawl having a number of teeth on the periphery thereof corresponding to a number of signals produced, said commutator having a conductive track and an alternately conductive and non-conductive track determining the number of signals produced; one of said brushes being disposed in permanent contact with one of said tracks and the other brush with the other track; said ratchet being actuated by energizing of said electro- 8 magnet upon actuation of said contact of said commutator by said timing contact of said movement; actuating means mechanically connected to said armature and signal producing means acted on by said actuating means.

2. Independent time signal generator according to claim 1, further having a third transistor in said circuit connected across said commutator.

3. Independent time signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said ratchet has teeth having lateral sections acted upon by said pawl.

4. Independent time signal generator according to claim 1, having a fixed support bearing a time dial, said ratchet having index means for noting time on said dial and button means integral with said ratchet for synchronizing the same with said movement.

5. Independent time signal generator according to claim 1, wherein said timing and amplifying circuit, said actuating means and said ratchet are housed in said signal producng means.

6. Independent time signal generator according to claim 5, wherein said signal producing means consist of a pair of bells mounted concentrically.

7. Independent time signal generator according to claim 1, further having means for adjusting the intensity of said signal producing means, said means consisting of a variable resistance in series with said coil and adjustment means for adjusting the cadence of said signal, said adjustment means comprising a potentiometer in the base circuit of one of said transistors.

8. Independent time signal generator according to claim 1, having a trigger and wherein said movement has a double cam, said trigger having a contact member which falls at the time of signalling, a second contact on which said member falls and a timing system for adjusting the speed of fall of said member.

9. Independent time signal member generator according to claim 8, wherein said movement comprise a gear making a complete revolution in 24 hours, said gear having a cam having a section adapted to prevent the fall of said contact for 12 out of 24 hours thereby preventing emission of a signal for a corresponding period of time, said cam being elastically connected to said gear to permit the selection of said 12 hours. 4

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 350,252 12/1960 Switzerland. 1,303,664 8/1962 France.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner E. C. SIMMONS, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 5819 

